boissiee



y Patented Deo. 21, 1886.

H; R. BOISSIBR.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

(No Model.)

No.\l}'354,530.

UNITED STATES PATENT @Furono HERMANN It. BOISSIER, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,530, dated December 2l, 1886.

(No model.)

To all whom, 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN It. Borssinn, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specilication.

Myinvention has reference to clectriclamps; audit consistsin certainimprovements,fullyset forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which forni part thereof.

In carrying out my invention I provide the lamp with a low-resistance helix and a highresistance helix, both ot which are always in circuit, and in which, when the lamp is properly working, the low-resistance helix constanti y attracts its armature-core and does not perform any direct action, so far as the regulation of the distance apart of the carbons is concerned, this latter function being controlled excl nsively by the higlrresistance helix,which is also arranged in ashunt-circuit- The main functions of the low and high resistance magnet or helices are to first draw the carbons apart when the current is turned on; secondly, regulate the distance apa-rt of the carbon 5 thirdly, if from any cause the carbon should not feed and the arc be cut out, the current shall still traverse the lowresistanee helix, preventing destruction ot' thehighsresistance helix, and, fourthly, if the linecurrent should be broken or the lamp cut out of the circuit, the low-resistance helix would become practically demagnetized, and this action would lower the carbons and reset t he cut-out, so that when the current is once more sent through the lamp it is found to be in operative condition. In a lamp ofthis construction it will be observed that the carbons, once the arc is formed, always approach each other and cannot be drawn apart, the high-resist ance helix and its core operating to control the approach of the carbons. The core or armature of the high-resistance or arc-con'- trolliug helix is counterbalanced by an adjustable counterbalancling-lever, or its equivalent, so that the slightest variation in the strength of the current instantly controls the feeding of the'carbons. VThis feature of counterbalancing the carbon-feeding core is very important. To cnt out the arc of the lamps, I provide a permanent magnet and pivoted the carbons out and insures an auxiliary cir n cuit being` closed, which has the effect of still keeping the low-resistance helix in circuit, and thus prevents any possibility of the destruction of the high-resistance helix. A finger actuated by the core of the low-resistance helix isso arranged that when the said helix is Cle-electrified from any cause the said ringer is caused to press down the armature of 7o the cut-out or permanent magnet and break the shuntconnection, the said operation also bringing the carbons together and re-estab lishing the arc.

My object is to make the lamp so that the feeding` of the carbon is wholly under the control of the high-resistance or shunt helix, whereby if a number of lamps arranged in 'series are on a circuit lin which the current varies to an appreciable extent the lamps shall be so sensitive in working that they may be controlled by such a small portion of said current as to be incapable of showing such variations in the arc as is commonly the casey in differential-principled lamps, or those in which the arc is controlled by the differences i'n an attraction of a low-resistance helix in arc circuit and a high-resistance helix in a shunt circuit. This is particularly valuable in the illumination of houses and buildings where the number of lamps in circuit is con stantly being changed. The resistances of the helices do not require to be closely calculated for the given number of lamps in said circuit. Increasing or decreasing the number of lamps in circuit does not materially affect the working of these lamps, and a most steady light is obtained even with considerable variations in the strength of the current used.

In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional ele vatiou of an are embodying my improvements, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the main working parts and circuits.

A is the frame of the lamp.

IOO

B is the upper-carbon holder, and carries the carbon C, and is provided with a rack, b. This carbon-holder is fed by gravity and controlled by the escapement-gearing F, which `is provided with the usual resistance fan, f, whose vibrations are controlled by a lever, L, having teeth Z to catch said fan and arrest its vibration, the said lever being provided on the other end with an anti-friction wheel, 7:, working upon a disk, K, which is attached to the core J of the high-resistance helix I. By this means it is seen that if the high-resistance helix is excessively magnetized and attracts its core the fan F will bc liberated and the carbon O will approach the carbon D, regulating the arc and decreasing its resistance. The armature J is counterbalanced by a lever, M, having upon one end the adjustable counterbalancing-weight N, and upon the other end with a wheel or roller, j, working against a disk, J, upon the armature or core J. By this means the core can be accurately counterbalanced, and thereby made sensitive to the slightest variation in the magnetization ofthe helix I.

The frame E is pivoted at e, and carries the escapement-gearing F, and is oscillated by the core G of the low-resistance helix H, which helix is in circuit with the bindingpost N by the wire lz, the current passing through the arc, carbons, holdel` B, contact-spring a, frame A, and binding-post O. By this it is seen that so long as the arc is maintained the helix H is fully magnetized and its core remains down. The attraction of the core is still further in- A sured and its depression not affected by slight v of said magnet variations in current by providing Ithe lower part of the helix H with an iron core, H, whereby the core G is drawn down with great force and positively held down. A disk of paper or non-conducting material, H, is placed between the cores H and G to prevent actual contact.

If the current were broken, the frame E would oscillate, raising the core G and lower the carbon-holder until the carbon touched. As soon as the current was put on or the circuit established the frame E would be oscillated in an opposite direction, raising the carbon-holder and separating the carbons. Further regulation necessary, due to the burning of the carbons, will be accomplished by the helix I, as hereinbefore stated, this helix being in circuit with the binding-post O and N by shunt-wire z'.

l? is apermanent magnet, and Q is its armature, which latter is preferably provided with a counter-balance, q, to regulate the time of positive action of the magnet P. If this armature Q be raised within a certain distance of the magnet I), it will be instantly attracted thereto, and will close an auxiliary or shunt circuit and keep it closed until the said armature is pushed out of range of the attraction This armature Q may be raised directly or indirectly by the core J of the helix I, for when this helixis unduly magnelized by an excessive are or breaking of the arc this auxiliary cut-out must act. This armature Q is in circuit with the binding-post O through the frame of the lamp or otherwise, and is provided with a contact, r, which, when the armature is raised, touches the adjustable contact-screw B, carried by the bracket F. This bracket is connected in circuit with the wire h and between the low-resistance helix H and carbons. It, now, we suppose that for some reasons the are became too great orbroke and thereby endangered the insulation of the high-resistance helix I, thecore J would be instantly raised, lifting the armature Q and closing the auxiliary shunt-circuit, completing the main circuit through said auxiliary cutout and circuit. This places the carbons and the are in what might be termed a shunt-,7 for now the main current will pass through the cut-out device and practically cut the are out of circuit, owing to its high resistance, and this also absolutely protects the insulation of the high-resistance helix I. If, now, the main circuit be broken, the helix H will become demagnetized and theframe E will draw the core G more or less ont of the said helix and depress the contact breaker or arm S, which is loosely pivoted thereto, causing-it to strike the raised armature Q of the cutout and break the connection between H and r, thereby breaking the cut-out or auxiliary circuit. This oscillation of the i'ranie E also depresses the carbons, bringing them in contact, so as to form the are upon the current once more being established in the line'circuit. The frame or lever E may be so weighted that the moment the helix I-I is demagnetized it oscillates to raise the core G7 or, it' desired, a spring,v g, may be used to mechanically raise the said core and oscillate the frame E.

The frame E and -its gearing, by which the Acarbon-holder B is fed, is old and in use on the well-known Arnoux and Hochhausen lamps, but they are not controlled in the manner herein specied and shown. Of course it is evident that any other form of feeding mech anism might be used in place of that shown, the same being controlled by the armature J of the high-resistance helix I and worked independentlyot the low-resistance helix H, and I therefore do not limit myself to this partie ular construction. The general construction of the lamp may be varied to suit the ideas of the designer, and the details may be more or less modified without departing from my in vention, for it is readily seen that while the construction of the adjustable disks K and J are advantageous, yet the levers L and lll, or the counter-balances, might be coupled with said core J in any other mechanical manneras, for instance, the lever M might work directly upon the bottom of the core J.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-n 1. In an electric lamp, the carbon-holders, feeding devices for the carbons, :thigh-resist` ICO IlO

IIC,

ance helix arranged in a closed shunt-circuit to arrest the feeding of the carbons together, and the armature or core of said helix, which directly arrests the action of the feeding devices of the carbons, in combination with a counterbalance to counterbalance the weight of said armaturecore, and means to adjustthe connection of the counter-balance With respect to the core, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an electric lamp, the carbon-holders, feeding devices for the carbons, a high-resistance helix ar nanged in a shuntcircuit to arrest `the feeding of the carbon, the armature or core of said helix Working vertically in said helix, a lever operated thereby to directly control the feeding devices for the carbons, in combination with an adjustable counter-balance to counterbalance the weight of said armature or core, and a low-resistance helix to separate the carbons, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In an electric lamp, the carbon-holders,

`feeding devices for the carbons, a high-resistance helix arranged in a closed shunt-circuit to arrest the feeding of the carbons, the core of said helix Working vertically, a lever con trolled by said core to directly arrest the action of the feeding devices for the carbons, in combination with a counter-balance to counterbalauee the weight of said armature or core, a low-resistance helix in vthe main circuit, an armature or core therefor, and carbon-separating devices to move the carbons apart when the current is put on to form the arc, substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

4. In an electric lamp, the carbonl1olders, a l1ighresistance helix arranged in a shunt-circuitto control the feeding ofthe carbons and the armature or core of said helix, which directly vactuates the feeding devices of the carbons, in

combination ivi th a connter-balance to counterbalance the Weight of said armature or core, a low-resistance helix in the main circuit, an armature or core therefor, and carbon-separating devices to move the carbons apart when the current is put on to form the arc, a shunt, andan electrically-actuated cut-out device thrown into action to shunt or cut ont the carbons or arc when the high-resistance helix is unduly Inagnetized, anda connection between said cut-out and low-resistance magnet, Whereby it is thrown out of action to put the carbons into direct circuit by the action of the low-resistance helix upon breaking orgre'atly y reducing the line-circuit, substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

5. In an electric lamp, the lowresistance helix, aluf'aysin line-circuit, the carbon mech` anism, substantially as described, actuated by thelow-resistancehelix to separate the carbons to establish the arc, in combination with a cutout or shunting device, which, upon an exces-V ing, shall automatically put said carbons into a shunt-circuit and connect the low-resistance magnet with the line-circuit, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In an electric lamp, the low-resistance helix,alWays in the line-circuit,the carbon mechanism, substantially as described, actuated by the low-resistance helix to separate the carbons to establish the are, in combination With a shunt-circuit, a cut-out or shnnting device, a connection between said cut-out and highre sistance magnet, which, upon au excessive length of arc being formed or upon the arc going out owing to the carbons not feeding, shall automatically actuate said cut-out to put said carbons into a shunt-circuit and connect the low-resistance magnet with the line-circuit, and a connection between said cnt-out and Ycarbon-separatingy mechanism to break said shunt and reset the cutout, Whereby,When the low-resistance helix is demagnetized and the carbons made to ineet,the cut-out circuit shall be broken and they carbons once more put into the line or main circuit, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In an electric lamp, the combination of a high-resistance helix to feed the carbons and -put the eut-out into action, a low-resistance helix to separate the carbons to establish the are and put the cutout out of action, and a magnetic cnt-out device consisting oi' a permanent magnet and its current/*closing armatu re, a circuit through the low-resistance helix and carbons, a shunt-circuit through the highresistance helix, and an auxiliary circuit opened or closed by the cut-out armature to put the carbons into direct or shunted circuit, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In an electric lamp, the combination of a high-resistance helix to feed the carbons and put the cutout into action, a lon/resistance helix to separate the carbons to establish the arc and put the cutout out of action, and a magnetic cut-out device consisting of a permanent magnet and its cireuitclosing armature, a circuit through the low-resistance helix and carbons, a shunt-circuit through the high-resistance helix, and an auxiliary circuit opened or closed by the cut-out armature to put the carbons into direct or shunted circuit, sub stantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

9. In an electric lamp, a cut-out for the carbons, consisting of a permanent magnet, in combination with an armature moved into and out of range of its magnetic field by the action of electromagnets under the iniiuencesof the line-circuit, and a circuit opened or closed by the armature of the cut-ont to put the carbons into or out of the line-circuit, substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

l0. In an electric lamp, the combination of the high-resistance helix I and its core J with the feeding mechanism for the carbons, and counterbalancing-lever M, rhaving adjustable Weight N, the low-resistance helix H, toestablish the arc, the helix I being in a shunt-cir- ICO IIO

cuit around the carbons, and the helix H being in a direct circuit with the carbons, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

l1. In an electric lai-np, the combination of the high-resistance helix I'and its verticallymoving core J, surrounded by said helix, with the regulating-lever L, actuated by said core, feeding mechanism for the carbons, and counterbalancing-lever M, having adjust-able weight N, low-resistance helix H,to establish the are, the helix I being in a shunt-circuit around the carbons and the helix H in a direct circuit with the carbous, permanent magnet P, cut-out armature Q, cut-out contacts It r, the contact r being iu circuit with one binding-post and the contact R being in circuit with the linecircuit between the helix H and the carbons, a connection actuated by the helix H to throw the armature Q out of attractive position with reference to magnet P, and a connection between said core J and armature Q, by which the armature Q, is raised within attractive distance of the magnet P when the helix I is unduly magnetized, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. In an electric lamp, the combination of the high-resistance helix I and its core J, with the feeding mechanism for the earbons, and

couuterbalancing-lever M, having adjustable weight N, the low-resistance helix H, to establish the are, the helix I being in a shunt-circuit around the carbons, and the helix H being in a direct circuit with the carbons, permanent magnet P, cut-out armature Q, cut-out contacts R r, the contact o' being in circuit with one binding-post, and the contact R being in circuit with the line-circuit between the helix H and the carbons, and a connection between said eore .I and armature Q, by which the armatureQis raised within attractive distance of the magnet P when the helix I is unduly magnetized, and inger or arm S, actuated by the low-resistance helix and adapted to push the armature Q out of attractive action of magnet P when the are is established, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. The combination of the carbon-holder B, earbons C D, low-resistance helix H, having a fixed core, H', and in the line-circuit, movable core G, actuated thereby to separate the carbons, high-resistance helix I in a shuntcircuit around the helix I-I, and suitable carbon-feeding devices actuated thereby, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

HERMANN R. BOISSIER. Witnesses:

P. T. BROWN, W. PRINZLAU. 

